Device For Resisted Swimming

ABSTRACT

A device ( 1 ) for resisted swimming includes elements ( 7 ) for coupling with the user&#39;s body, a cable ( 5 ), the cable ( 5 ) having one end coupled with the coupling elements ( 7 ) and the other end coupled with a first end of a plurality of tension wires ( 3 ), the second end of the plurality of tension wires ( 3 ) being coupled with a body ( 2 ), so as to realize a parachute like structure, the structure opening during advancing of the user within the water.

The present invention relates to a device for resisted swimming.

More specifically, the invention concerns a device of the above kind permitting making the so-called “resisted swimming” with the best technical conditions.

During last years, different training technique developed in the swimming field aiming to obtain the best results from each athlete.

Mainly during the powering step of training, different solutions, more or less arranged, have been suggested, among which, for example, the use of hand paddles, swimming wearing a cotton t-shirt, and so on.

Recently, it has been introduced a swimming technique known as “resisted swimming”, always in order to increase resistance to swimmer advancement for training resistance and power of the same athlete.

Obviously, all solutions adopted must permit to the swimmer to make his/her action, maintaining the correct “swimming” and shall have not to hinder his/her skidding along the training lane.

At present, in order to actuate passive swimming, arranged solutions have been used, said solutions permitting training, but not practical both for their realisation and their use and transportation and storage.

Among the solutions presently used for resisted swimming, it is worthwhile mentioning the use of elastic tied on one side of the swimming pool and on the other side on the athlete. This solution permits slowering the athlete action by a “counter” action, i.e. it increases backward traction in case athlete tries advancing in the opposite direction.

Further, different devices have been used, such as sponge balls, sponge cubes, buckets and baskets, that, although able making a braking action, do not permit verifying their efficiency. Furthermore, being all these solutions characterised by a water mass, they acquire a momentum or kinetic force while the action prosecutes, thus reducing the resistance.

It is therefore well evident that it would be convenient having a device, such as the one proposed according to the present invention, permitting optimally making resisted swimming, not hindering the athlete during the swimming phase and the turn.

Solution according to the present invention permits maintaining constant the resistance, that can be increased or reduced when varying athlete speed, the athlete being allowed to self-regulating his/her action.

Another object of the present invention is that of realising a device for resisted swimming that can be easily manufactured on a broad scale.

Further object of the present invention is that of realising a device for resisted swimming that can be easily and with the minimum dimensions stored and transported, e.g. within the athlete's bag.

Still another object of the present invention is that of realising a device for resisted swimming that can be comfortably worn by the athlete during the training session.

It is therefore specific object of the present invention a device for resisted swimming comprising means for coupling with the user's body, a cable, said cable having one end coupled with said coupling means and the other end coupled with a first end of a plurality of tension wires, the second end of said plurality of tension wires being coupled with a body, so as to realise a parachute like structure, said structure opening during advancing of the user within the water.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, said body is provided with at least a hole, preferably a central hole.

Always according to the invention, said body has a disc, square, rectangular shape, or any other shape suitable for training.

Still according to the invention, said body is fixedly or removably coupled with the end of said tension wires.

Always according to the invention, said body can be provided with a relief edge, on its inner or outer periphery, acting as float.

Still according to the invention, it can be provided a plurality of bodies, particularly coupled, in parallel or in series, or according to every other configuration.

Furthermore, according to the invention, coupling between the end of said tension wires and the end of said cable provides interposition of an articulation, preferably a revolving articulation.

Always according to the invention, said cable is an elastic cable.

Furthermore, according to the invention, it is possible providing a floating element, preferably provided on said body.

According to the invention, it is possible using, for realising said body and/or said tension wires, tissues, not woven materials, nylon, coated sheet, PVC, etc.

Still according to the invention, said tension wires can be comprised of elastic material or inelastic material.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, an opening rod can be provided between said coupling means and said cable for the parachute like structure, said parachute like structure coupling with said opening rod, said opening rod being coupled with said coupling means by small cables or wires.

The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a swimmer with device for resisted swimming according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of part of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the device for resisted swimming according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 10 shows a first perspective view of shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 11 shows a second perspective view of the embodiment of the device according to the invention shown in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a swimmer with the device for resisted swimming of FIG. 10.

Observing first enclosed FIGS. 1-3, it is shown an embodiment of the device for resisted swimming according to the invention, generically indicated by reference number 1.

Device 1 provides a parachute disc 2, that can have every geometric shape useful for training, provided with a plurality of tension wires 3, all converging toward an articulation 4, from which an elastic cable starts.

Centrally, said parachute disc 2 provides a hole 6, in order to obtain a flow stabilising the whole device.

A belt 7, or a different coupling means, is provided on the free end of the elastic cable 5, for coupling the device on the athlete.

When the athlete is swimming, disc 2 opens, thus making a resisting action, the intensity of which can be adjusted either varying dimensions of the disc 2 or varying dimension of the central hole 6.

Disc 2, as well as possibly tension wires 3, can be comprised of every material suitable to be used within in an environment such as a swimming pool. For example, we can mention tissues, not woven materials, nylon, coated sheet, PVC, etc.

In view of the structure so realised, disc 2, during advancement of the swimmer, takes the shape of a parachute, remaining stable.

Hole 6 of the disc 2 permits the device 1 being aligned with the swimmer.

A revolving articulation can be provided in correspondence of the articulation 4, thus further improving stability of device.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, wherein elements similar to those shown in the previous FIGS. 1-3 are indicated by the same reference numbers, it is provided a small float 8, close to the central hole 6, in order to prevent the minimum sinking of the device 1 according to the invention.

As already mentioned, shape of disc 2 can be different with respect to the round shape shown in the drawings, and particularly it could be square or rectangular.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, it is shown body 2 provided of a relief edge 9 on its circumference, thus improving its floating during the use of device 1.

Coming now to observe FIGS. 6-9 of the enclosed drawings, different combinations of the parachute like bodies 2 are shown. Illustrated combinations are only some of the possible combinations and must not be used to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Finally, observing FIGS. 10-12, it is shown a further embodiment of device according to the invention. Particularly, it is shown a solution providing the use of a single parachute like disc 2, but it is well evident that it can be provided as well with a plurality of parachute like discs 2, as shown in FIGS. 5-9.

In this embodiment, it is provided the belt 7, to be coupled with swimmer, on which a hook, an opening rod 11 being provided at one end of said small cables, couples two small cables 10. Parachute like disc 2 (or parachute like discs 2) is (are) fixed to the opening rod 11, so as to obtain an even better use of device 1 according to the invention during the leg action of the swimmer, since legs are not hindered during their action by device 1.

Device 1 according to the invention, besides being absolutely practical and functional for training sessions, can be easily stored and transported by the athlete, or his/her trainer inside the training bag, with minimum dimensions and weight.

Furthermore, is permits adjusting intensity of training simply changing dimensions of disc 2 (it would even be possible replacing disc 2, providing a new one, smaller or bigger, coupled with tension wires), and/or the central hole 6.

The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims. 

1. Device for resisted swimming comprising means for coupling with the user's body, a cable, said cable having one end coupled with said coupling means and the other end coupled with a first end of a plurality of tension wires, the second end of said plurality of tension wires being coupled with a body, so as to realise a parachute like structure, said structure opening during advancing of the user within the water.
 2. Device for resisted swimming according to claim 1, characterised in that said body is provided with at least a hole.
 3. Device for resisted swimming according to claim 2, characterised in that said body is provided with a central hole.
 4. Device for resisted swimming according to claim 1, characterised in that said body has a disc, square, rectangular shape, or any other shape suitable for training.
 5. Device for resisted swimming according to claim 1, characterised in that said body is fixedly coupled with the end of said tension wires.
 6. Device for resisted swimming according to claim 1, characterised in that said body is removably coupled with the end of said tension wires.
 7. Device for resisted swimming according to claim 1, characterised in that said body is provided with a relief edge, on its inner or outer periphery, acting as float.
 8. Device for resisted swimming according to claim 1, characterised in that it is provided a plurality of bodies, particularly coupled, in parallel or in series, or according to every other configuration.
 9. Device for resisted swimming according to claim 1, characterised in that coupling between the end of said tension wires and the end of said cable provides interposition of a snood.
 10. Device for resisted swimming according to claim 9, characterised in that said articulation is a revolving articulation.
 11. Device for resisted swimming according to claim 1, characterised in that said cable is an elastic cable.
 12. Device for resisted swimming according to claim 1, characterised in that it is provided a floating element, preferably provided on said body.
 13. Device for resisted swimming according to claim 1, characterised in that said body and/or said tension wires are comprised of tissues, not woven materials, nylon, coated sheet, PVC, etc.
 14. Device for resisted swimming according to claim 1, characterised in that said tension wires are comprised of elastic material or inelastic material.
 15. Device for resisted swimming according to claim 1, characterised in that a opening rod is provided between said coupling means and said cable for the parachute like structure, said parachute like structure coupling with said opening rod, said opening rod being coupled with said coupling means by small cables or wires.
 16. (canceled) 